Serbia: Increased coal production

15. May 2020. / News Serbia Energy

Coal production in Serbia in 2020 so far has increased by 5.3 % compared to the same period last year, said Serbian Minister of Energy and Mining Aleksandar Antic at the ceremony marking the commissioning of the open pit coalmine Radljevo-North in the Kolubara basin. Coal production rose in April by 6 % compared to the same month in 2019, despite difficult working conditions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, said Minister Antic.

He said that the new open pit mine is of strategic importance for Serbia as it is related to the construction of the new coal-fired power plant Kolubara B in Kalenic, which should be commissioned by the end of 2022.

Minister Antic announced that the mining sector as well as energy companies will end 2020 with positive financial results, thus contributing to the growth of Serbia’s GDP.

In March, state-owned power utility EPS signed a preliminary agreement on cooperation with Chinese company PowerChina on the construction of coal-fired thermal power plant Kolubara B near Ub.

The construction of this energy facility was originally planned in 1990s and now EPS plans to complete the 350 MW project in cooperation with Chinese company. The construction of a new unit will ensure Serbia’s sustainable industrial development and will be built in line with the latest EU environmental standards. The new unit represents replacement capacity for ageing TPP Morava and TPP Kolubara A.